Candidate profile: Steve Pearce

Steve Pearce is currently serving his sixth term as a U.S. representative for New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District and is again running.

Pearce is an Air Force veteran and small business owner.

Pearce his wife, Cynthia, raised their family in Hobbs, where they owned an oilfield services firm.

Q. Do you think the legalization of recreational marijuana in New Mexico is an appropriate option for boosting state revenue?

A. This is a state issue.

Q. If elected, what is the single thing you wish most to accomplish during your term?

A. In New Mexico, job creation is one of the biggest issues facing our state. There are many people who want to work, but cannot find good paying jobs. Unfortunately, the federal government often over-regulates industries like ranching, farming, and small business. This makes it more difficult for these businesses to expand.

Small businesses provide many of our nation’s jobs, yet they are either regulated out-of-business or are so confined they cannot grow. We must launch targeted efforts to peel back big government while also protecting our safety to free up our economy. This way, our small business can hire more employees or increase wages. This is done by getting the government out of the way so our small businesses are able to open and continue to thrive. I always have spoken up for small businesses and will continue to fight back against the government who increasingly attempts to make it more difficult to keep the doors open on Main Street.

Q. Southeastern New Mexico has faced economic hardship because of the decline of the oil and gas industry. Are there other industries you think we should turn our focus to?

A. Heavy-handed government regulations have been choking the oil and gas industry. We must diversify our energy structure. Oil and gas are critical to our economy, but wind, bio-fuels, solar and nuclear power all need expansion.

We also need to bring back industries like ranching and farming. One obstacle that these industries face that impact jobs, are excessive government regulations. These regulations make it difficult to sustain their business. For example, the fight over the Lesser Prairie Chicken has demonstrated how business can work with the government to not only preserve a species while maintaining local jobs as well. We need to have a proper balance between government regulation, like the Endangered Species Act, and protecting our economy.

Finally, we must demand transparency and accountability from government agencies. For example, my office pressed the National Park Service (NPS) to be open with our local community regarding the repair of the elevators at the Carlsbad Caverns. The Caverns are a national treasure that is vital to the local community, yet NPS remained uncommunicative about their efforts to fix the elevators. Just as my office has done during the WIPP stoppage, I will continue to hold agencies accountable and ensure they are communicating openly with our local communities.

Q. What do you propose should be done to secure the health and well being of children in New Mexico and Eddy County?

A. I strongly believe that as a nation we must come together to reinforce important values, not only within the family but within our communities. Working as one, we will protect our future generations the values we hold dear, and also give our kids the best chance to succeed. This starts around our kitchen tables, at church, and especially at school.

Education is a local responsibility. Common Core and a one-size-fits-all approach are doomed to fail. Policies like the Every Student Succeeds Act puts the decision-making responsibility back into the hands of our local education leaders. Also, we need more of an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math while also encouraging vocational training so our neighbors can learn the skills needed for the job market. Finally, we also must make college more affordable for students so they can broaden their education without having to shoulder massive amounts of debt.